Kenyan parliamentary delegation visits Hounslow to discuss devolution

Caroli Omondi MP with Leader of Hounslow Council, Cllr Rajawat

Council Leader Shantanu Rajawat and Cllr Ron Mushiso host delegation from Kenya Parliament during fact-finding visit on how to transfer political power to local communities

Hounslow Council Leader Shantanu Rajawat and Conservative councillor Ron Mushiso this week welcomed a delegation from the Kenya Parliament to Hounslow House to discuss how Kenya can strengthen its devolution strategy.

The visit followed discussions in Nairobi last week between Cllr Mushiso and Rt Hon Peter Orero MP, the Member of Parliament for Kibra in Nairobi, who had previously visited Hounslow House. The meeting focused on how Kenya’s democracy could adopt best practices in local government as it seeks to transfer more political power from the centre to local communities.

Cllr Rajawat joined the Nairobi discussion by phone and, together with Cllr Mushiso, extended an invitation to the Kenyan Parliamentary Committee on Devolution to visit the UK. The delegation, chaired by Hon Caroli Omondi MP, Member of Parliament for Suba South, met with the two councillors as part of their fact-finding mission.

Writing on X, Cllr Mushiso said he was “delighted to join forces with Hounslow Council Leader Cllr Rajawat in welcoming Hon Caroli Omondi and his Devolution Select Committee delegation from the Kenyan Parliament, exploring the strengths and challenges of devolving political power from the centre out to communities.”

Cllr Rajawat, also on X, described the meeting as “a hugely beneficial discussion with colleagues from the Kenyan Parliament,” adding that it had become an annual exchange. “It was a chance to talk about the risks and opportunities of devolution and challenge my own assumptions.”

Cllr Ron Mushiso (L) with Caroli Omondi MP (C) and Cllr Rajawat (R)

Ron told The Chiswick Calendar:

“As someone who lived through political struggles of the early 1990 in Kenya, it is truly remarkable that 33 years later, I am able to be in a position where I am helping to strengthen the democracy a country that was once my safeheaven as child escaping tragedy and the threat of violence from neighbouring Uganda.

“I lived in Nairobi, Kenya between 1991 and 1993 and saw the painful transformation in its politics from one party rule to an actual democracy.

“These were scary and uncertain times, now Kenya is a much better place.

“To now be in a position to help strengthen Kenyan democracy in some small way 33 years later; is an honour.

“It’s an honour of the leaders in Kenya feel that they can reach out to me to help connect them with our local leadership in London”.

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